For love of the game

STOCKTON - An unfortunate injury took Ari Holland away from the game he loves, but the 11-year-old endured a tough summer with the help of baseball.

Jagdip Dhillon

STOCKTON - An unfortunate injury took Ari Holland away from the game he loves, but the 11-year-old endured a tough summer with the help of baseball.

Holland suffered a broken right fibula and cracked tibia in the last regular season game of Sundown Little League for 11-12 year-olds when the second baseman had a teammate land on his leg after they had both dove after a popup. The growth plate in his ankle was also shifted, which required a surgery nine days later at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation on Hammer Lane, where it had to be shifted back into place.

"The only thing I remember is that it was a popup and I didn't want the ball to drop," said Holland, who was born without a left hand. "And suddenly we both dove after it. I knew (it was bad) because my ankle was crooked."

His mother, Vanna Chan, knew immediately something was wrong.

"It was the toughest thing seeing my boy out there hurt," Chan said. "I knew it was bad when I saw his face, he was just red with big eyes."

Holland was born without the hand because aminotic bands wrapped around his left arm, which cut off blood flow to his hand in the womb. Holland had become an All-Star for the White Sox over the past two years, but missed out on this year's showcase. John Holland and Chan said the injuries were devastating for their son, who got understandably depressed considering all he was going to miss out on.

"I haven't played baseball in a long time (since May 29)," said Holland, who's a sixth grader at Wagner Holt Elementary School. "I couldn't have fun, didn't swim, just didn't enjoy the summer."

Holland was scheduled to play for a travel ball team this summer, but missed out on that opportunity as well.

His sisters, 9-year-old Kiyomi and 6-year-old Miyoko, did lift his spirits by refraining from swimming until their brother's cast came off. Swimming being a favorite activity of his, Holland joked that made his little sisters' "less annoying."

John Holland said he's kept it positive with his son, focusing on the recovery and the season ahead.

"In sports, injuries happen,'" John Holland said. "Kids bounce back quick from these kinds of things."

Holland's parents are both Oakland Athletics fans and knowing their son's love for baseball, they used the game to get him out of his funk. John Holland bought his son a beautiful black, American-made Nokona glove, which had the desired effect immediately.

"Within five minutes of being in the wheelchair, he went outside and started playing catch," John Holland said. "We played catch every day and it helped."

The parents also took their son to A's and Stockton Ports games, with Ari Holland abandoning his wheelchair after many weeks to go to the 1989 World Champion A's reunion night on July 19. He also voiced his thoughts on last Thursday's trade of outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed ace Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes.

"I didn't like it, because (Cespedes) was one of the best players and everyone enjoyed watching him the most," Ari Holland said.

Holland said while he enjoyed watching baseball this summer, it also made him miss playing the game even more. He's now back walking with a limp and just started a 13-week physical therapy program. Holland's certain he'll be back out there for the White Sox in the 12-13 Majors next spring.

"I've been thinking I have to get better," Holland said. "I want to strengthen my leg and just want to play again."

Contact reporter Jagdip Dhillon at (209) 546-8292 or jdhillon@recordnet.com. and on Twitter @JagRecordSports